it's all in the fit...

Shopping brings about wonderful, new experiences. Whether it is the discovery of a total bargain or the next big trend, it tends to be more of a learning experience than anyone would ever let on. Recently, shopping taught me something that is really significant, and I'm glad to be able to share it.

On a recent trip to a mall in New Jersey, the home of my aunt and cousin, I decided to drop into Steve and Barry's. If you are not familiar with the chain of stores with prices so low, they will make you do a double take, they sell all of their items for under $20. Right now, in a market endeavor to avoid bankruptcy, everything is priced at $8.95 or less. With that kind of pricing, the least I could do was check out the store, right?

The shopping experience began well. The store was incredibly spacious, almost warehouse-like. Immediately I saw Sarah Jessica Parker's "Bitten" line. I'll admit that the stuff was pretty cute. It was pretty decent quality as well. I managed to pick up a jewel-toned turtleneck, a black sack dress, a few blazers from other lines, and I headed back to the fitting rooms. That was where the great experience ended. As I tried on each piece, I realized something: NOTHING FIT. The seams on the turtleneck were especially narrow and it hugged oddly. The dress looked like a true sack. Being the owner of sack dresses, I know what they should look like. They should look shapeless and draping. The fabric was so light, it wouldn't hang, but instead, puffed out. The sleeves wouldn't even button around my arms, and my arms are definitely normal sized for a petite 14 year old. And then came the blazers: they were extremely long, going down to my thighs. I am petite, but I'm not so small that blazers from Anne Klein and Ralph Lauren don't fit well.

So, obviously, the clothes at Steve and Barry's are not for everyone. They are for people especially tall and thin. Even the shoes are narrow on normal feet. Unfortunately, I am short and of average physique, so I had to visit other stores.

In a department store, I tried on jackets that cost around $100. Not only was there a wide array of fits (including a separate section for petites), but everything just looked amazing on me. I guess part of the reason the things that look best on us cost so much is fit. There must be a science to pieces that makes areas look slimmer or curvier. Seams, patterns, fabrics; they all play a part.

Many people prefer J-brand and True Religion jeans to other brands. They are both made with a patented stretch material woven into the denim that makes them look amazing. I had a pair of stretch ones and I wanted to wear them every single day. They hugged everything so well, but still felt perfect.

I'm not here to discourage a bargain purchase, but just to warn you to be wary. You might end up paying double or triple, but if it fits perfectly, it will be worth it in the long run. Looking amazing sometimes comes with a price. It just depends on how much you are willing to pay.